If swimming is your watersport or relaxation of choice, you've come to the right place. The ocean offers numerous possibilities for everyone from the wader to the long-distance swimmer. For your safety in late spring and summer, lifeguards are posted at many of the beaches in the area. You can be called closer to shore if the lifeguard thinks you're getting too far out for your own safety. Follow their instructions - these trained professionals are looking out for your best interests.
Rip currents are unseen dangers lurking in the water, dangers that Insiders respect. If you are swimming and are suddenly pulled in a frightening way by the currents, the most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Panic leads to exertion, which leads to dangerous fatigue. If you find yourself in a rip current, relax and let it carry you on its natural course toward the sea. Within a few minutes, it will dissipate. Then you can swim parallel to the shoreline to get out of the rip current area and back to shore. Do not try to swim straight back into shore against the rip current; you'll only tire yourself out.
Another word of warning. Do not swim when you're tired. Of the accidents that occur in local waters, a large percentage occur when people have traveled several hours to reach the beach and immediately go into the water. Their bodies and minds are weary from travel and sitting in a confined space. Give yourself time to stretch and relax before jumping into the waves.
Remember. Don't swim in inlets because you may not be seen by a speeding boat; don't swim alone; and don't swim in the Cape Fear River at and below Wilmington unless you can tolerate the company of alligators and big ships. Although the river is not particularly wide, it is deep - up to 42 feet - and has fast currents that have to be experienced to be believed. If it looks like the river is flowing upstream (northward), it is, during high tide.